Charlotte Historic Districts Commission Program Overview John Howard Historic Districts Commission Administrator Wanda Birmingham Assistant Planner Kristina Harpst, AICP Principal Planner Linda Keich Clerk Thomas Powers - Attorney
Background The Charlotte Local Historic District Commission was established in 1976 by an act of City Council as part of the redevelopment of Fourth Ward. Other preservation agencies Historic Landmarks Commission and the National Register of Historic Places. 2
Background The purpose of a Local Historic District is to encourage the restoration, preservation, rehabilitation, and conservation of historically significant areas, structures, buildings, sites, and objects Policy & Design Guidelines criteria: 1. Size 2. Scale 3. Massing 4. Fenestration (Windows, doors) 5. Rhythm (Relationship of fenestration, recesses and projections) 6. Setbacks 7. Materials 8. Context (Relationship of the project to its surroundings) 9. Landscaping 3
Background HDC staff administers the program. The Historic District Commission consists of 12 members. Quasi judicial process. The Commission and staff: 1. Establishes and revises guidelines. 2. Applies policy and design guideline criteria. 3. Review projects. 4. Provide education and outreach. 4
Neighborhoods 1. The City of Charlotte currently has six Local Historic Districts (Fourth Ward, 1976; Dilworth, 1983/1992; Plaza Midwood, 1992; Wesley Heights, 1994; Hermitage Court, 2006; and Wilmore, 2010). 2. The Districts consists of approximately 3000 properties covering over 700 acres. 3. Residents can request amendments to their District boundaries. 4. Staff reviews 250-300 applications annually. The majority of applications are in Dilworth. 6
Neighborhood Designation Process 1. A local historic district is a zoning overlay. 2. A neighborhood organization expresses interest through staff. 3. The organization takes the lead on community outreach efforts. 4. Staff issues a report on the area s historic significance. 5. A survey and report is prepared by the applicant. 6. Survey and report reviewed by the NC State Historic Preservation Office. 7. Upon approval of the report, a rezoning application is filed. 8. City Council approves or denies the application. 6
Certificate of Appropriateness 1. In Local Historic Districts exterior projects are reviewed. 2. Approved projects receive a Certificate of Appropriateness letter and window placard. 2. Projects are reviewed Administratively or by the appointed Commission. 7
Staff Review 1. Building additions (neither taller nor wider) 2. Fences/walls 3. Decks/patios 4. Windows/doors 5. Mechanical units 6. Tree removal 7. Landscaping 8. Accessory buildings* 9. Restoration* Commission Review 1. New construction 2. Additions taller or wider 3. Changes to original window or door openings 4. Accessory buildings* 5. Demolition Applying for a Certificate of Appropriateness Most repair and maintenance projects do not require a Certificate of Appropriateness. 8
Application and Plan Review Process Step 1 Consultation with staff to determine review type (Administrative or HDC). Step 2 Complete an application including plans, photos and description. Step 3 If HDC review staff places the project on the agenda. Plans are presented to the Commission for review by staff and applicant for a decision by the HDC. 9
Compliance 1. Zoning enforcement staff responds to complaints and provides a recommendation to staff. 2. Changes are reviewed by the Commission and staff for approval or denial. 3. Zoning Enforcement may impose fines for violations. 4. 1 st citation 50.00. 2 nd citation may be up to 200.00. 3 rd and future citations may be up to 500.00.* 10
Upcoming Projects/Events 1. Charlotte architectural survey 2. Policy & Design Guidelines update 3. Mid-20 th Century preservation (1940s to 1960s) 4. Preservation month - May 11
Resources Charlotte Historic Districts hdc.charlotteplanning.org National Park Service nps.gov NC Listserv (UNC Chapel Hill) listserv.unc.edu Preservation North Carolina presnc.org National Alliance of Preservation Commissions napc.uga.edu Virtual Charlotte vc.charmeck.org/ State Historic Preservation Office hpo.ncdcr.gov Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission cmhpf.org Charlotte Mecklenburg Quality of Life Study Charmeck.org/qol 12
Contact Us Charlotte Mecklenburg Planning Department Main 704.336.2205 John Howard 704.336.5994 (jghoward@charlottenc.gov) Kristina Harpst 704.336.4697 (kharpst@charlottenc.gov) Wanda Birmingham 704.336.2302 (wbirmingham@charlottenc.gov) Linda Keich 704.353.1133 (lkeich@charlottenc.gov) General email charlottehdc@charlottenc.gov Attorney s Office Thomas Powers 704.336.5877 Website http://hdc.charlotteplanning.org 13